Service butter cutter



R. A. SFMPSON.

SERVICE BUTTER CUTTER. APPLICATION FILED DEc. 7, 1920.

A TTORNE YS R. A. SrMPsoN. SERVICE BUTTEII CUTTER. APPLICATION FILED DEQ?, I920. 1,434,919. Patented Nov. 7, 1922..

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gmail RUFUS A. SIMPSON, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

SERVICE BUTTER CUTTER.

Application filed December 7, 1920. Serial No. 428,928.

To LZ/f fui/"1.0m t may concern:

Be it known that l, RUFUs A. SIMPSON, a. citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new `and useful Improvements 1n Service Butter Cutters, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in devices for cutting the small squares or pats of butter which are served with meals in restaurants and like places.

rlhe principal object of my present invention is to provide a machine of this character in which the large block of butter is positively fed forward during the interval when the cutting knife is not in operation. ln the several devices nowon the market, the butter is fed forward by means of a biting pawl which works very imperfectly due to the fact 'that the pawl at times becomes gummed with the oil and grease, or the parts become worn and consequently do not properly bite on the feed shaft, resulting` in pieces of butter which are not of uniform thickness. My present invention aims to overcome these objections, toprovide a feed which is positive in operation and yet which may be varied `so as to allow pats of different thickness to be cut.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form. of knife whereby the pats are not dragged along by the knife as they are cut from the block of butter, and thereby forced into contact with adjacent pieces resulting inthe various pats being held together when they drop from themachine, necessitating"their beingseparated by hand. i c

' Alnothcr object of the invention is to arf. the knife holding means so that a uniform tension is secured on the knife without regard to the adjustment of the knife holdingblock. Furthermore the particular form of knife used in my'improved device necessitates the same being placed in the holding frame with the cuttingedge in its proper position. Therefore l provide the knife and frame with certain means to prevent the knife from being placed in an improper position.

iuother object is to provide an improved form of spiral face cam, which permits the feed of the butter to be varied and which may be turned in a reverse direction without damage to the contacting arm',

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists 1n certain novel features of construction, form and arrangement of Aparts herein illustrated and more specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Reference being had to the accompanying drawing formin a part of this specification:

Figure l is a view in plan of my improved cutter.

Figure 2 is a view of rear elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a view in end elevation.

Figure 4: is a view'in section on the line Lit-Ll, Figure l.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view in section showing the end of my butter cutter and the knife in the act of cutting off a pat of butter.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view in elevation of an improved form of a cutter knife and a cutter wire which may be used as a substitute therefor.

Figure 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the cutter knife.

Referring to corresponding parts in the several views by the same numerals of lreference, my improved cutter consists of a V- shaped body l, the sides of which are at right angles to each other. This body is provided with a suitable lug 3 on the underside by which it is removably attached to a stand 4, The butter to be cut is in the form of a parallelopiped and this block of butter is pushed forward towards the cutting` end of the device by means of the plate or follower block 5, rFhe block of butter is divided longitudinally into four smaller blocks of equal size by means of two cuts at right angles to each other. These cuts are made by the cutting blades 6 which may be formed integrally with the frame 7 or may be separately attached thereto in any preferred manner. rlhe opening 7 in the cutter frame is practically the exact size of the cross section of the prism of butter. The cutter frame T is itself attached to the forward end of the body l by means, of screws 8 which engage suitable lugs 9 formed underneath the sides 2.

At the rear of the cutter frame is formed an upwardly extending bracket 10 having a bearing 10 in which is revolvably mounteda shaft 1l. The latter projects outside of the bracket and is there provided with a flat portion l2 for securing` the hub of the knife frame 13, and the block 14: to which u 4the cutting blade is secured, This huh and made of wire of high tensile strength by forming a loop 21 on each end.

The other form of knife' is denoted by 22 and as here shown is provided with 'holes23 and '24 the former ot which is larger. thanA the latter, and correspondingly 'the pin`19 is larger than pin 18, making it necessaryv that the knifelbe positioned in a correct position with respect to its ends. The blade yof this knife is not symmetrical in 'cross' section but comprises a side 24 which is parallel to the direction of movement of the blade as indicated by the arrow in Figure 7, and the surface 25 making an angle to the surface 24. the thicker portion of the bla-de being at the cutting edge. From this edge denoted by 26 there extends short bevels 2G to meet the surfaces 2a and 25.

Being' thus constructed it is necessary that the proper side oi' the knife blade be placed next tothe end surface ofthe cutter trame 7. and for this reason 1 forni a short bent 'over portion 30011 one end which is turned outwardly from the face 24. The two ends it will be understood have parallel faces. This prevents the angular side 25 from being placed adjacent the cutting` surface of the cutter frame. The object of forming the short bevels 26 is so that the pat of butter which is cut from the main block will have a very short length of surface against which it can stick; and the surface 25 being'sloped away from the cut sui-tace of the butter pat, does not come in contact therewith, and hence there is little chance of the pat being retained on the knife and carried around as the handle is :further rotated. being illustratedin Figure ,lt will be noted that the block 1st is 'pro'- `vided with a linger 31 which extends under.' the hub of the kniie frame. andthat the latn This action ter is provided. .with a bevelqsurtace 32`fwhichis engaged 'by the screw. 33 through'jthe tin.- ger 31. "When a cutting blade is placed between the-pins 18 and 19 and brought'into tension by adjusting the set screw 15. this tensiontends to 'cause the block to assumean angular position 'on the shaft due to the strain being' placed ou'one side oi the block. This unequal strain is overcome.l and the block maintained ina correct position by engagement of the end ot screw 33 with the in-` clined surface 3.2.and 'turtherinore it 'there isaiiy. play vvbi'atwee-n' the .hub and thebeari'ng- 10 this inclined surface will prevent movement of the blocklt toward the bearing. Adjustment of the block lei on the shaft is secured by reason of the elongated slot 34 formed in the said block. Furthermore by reason of the spring construction of the knife frame an excess tension can not be placed onthecutter blade, the tension being limited to that required to bend the spring 16.

The block of butter is 'cdthrough the cutting'blades -6 during'the interval when the cutter knii'eis not infront of the opening 7. The mechanism' for accomplishing this fresultis' as follows? on'the back wall 2 is vformed a rearwardly extending arm 40 which is provided with a bearing 41 in alignment-with vthe bearing 10. The shaft 1l is revolvablysecured in these bearings and between the samel is provided with screw threads 42. Pivotally connectedl to the rear of the follower block 5 is a bracket 43, the upper end of which is provided with spaced arms 4st having openings through which passes the screw thread portion of the shaft 11. Between these arms is a wheel 45, the interior ot which is provided with screw threads for engagement with the screw threads 42 and the end faces of the wheel hubs of which lit closely between the bracket arms.

1t will be noted. that the side corners of the follower block are provided with laterally extending arms 4:7 which rest on the upper ed ges of the side walls 2. These arms are so positioned in reference to the edges of the follower block that t-he inside edges 18 of the latter do not contact with the inner surface ot the V-shaped body.

That portion of the shaft 11 which extends rearwardly through the bearing 41 is reduced in section and mounted thereon is a cam 50. The outer periphery of this cam is cylindrical but its axial face is in the form of a spiral; and in a radial plane this face lis beveled as shown at '51. The cani is provided with a hub having a longitudinal slot 54 that engages a pin 55 which extends through the shaft. Back of the hub the shaft is screw threaded as at 56, and mounted thereon a knurled nut 57 by which the cam may be adjusted longitudinally on the shaft. Afspring 58is Vinterposed between the inner faceV of thecain and a washer 59 at the face ot' bearing ,fi-1. so that when the nut 57 is turned the spring'tends to hold the hubofl the cam againstthe nut 57.

Pivotally mounted between the brackets l10 and 41 is a bar 60. thev upper edge of Thus in 'izo etect the edge "of this bar acts as a. pawl to hold the Wheel e5 whenever the bar is moved in engagement therewith. Movement of the bar is secured through an arm 63 which is attached to the end adjacent the cam. This arm provided with a downwardly projecting portion G4: on which is a pin for holding a coiled spring 65, the opposite end of which engages the surface of the rear wall 2. Above the bar the arm is bent rearwardly as shown at 66 so that it lies substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft 1l. Its end face is beveled as indicated at 68 to conform substantially to the pitch of the spiral of the cam, and also to the bevel ofits face.

The bar 60 is provided at the ends with notches 70 that are slightly wider than the width of the wheel 45, the function of these iiotcl'ics being` to prevent the action of the pawl whenever the follower block reaches its limits of operation.

The operation of the cutter is as follows: The follower block 5 is positioned at the end of the V-shaped trough adjacent the cam, and the prism or the block of butter is placed in the sl-shaped trough with its forward end against the cutter frame 7. The nut 57 is then turned to adjust the cam 50 and if desired the slot Set may be graduated as indicated at 7l in order to indicate approximately the number of pats of butter which will be cut from one pound. Then the blade frame is turned in a clockwise direction rotating the shaft ll and carrying the knife across the end of the cutter frame 'i'. Now the cam 50 is so positioned in relation to the knife that just as the cutter blade starts to pass the rearmost corner of the cutter frame opening.. the cam picks up the end GS of arm 63 and thus moves the sharp corner of the bar GO out of contact with the notches in wheel 45. The bar is held thus until the cutter blade has at least moved entirely across the end of the cutter frame. ,lfhereafter at an interval depending upon the adjustment of the cam, the end 68 drops from the spiral face of the cam permitting the spring 65 to press the point 6l of bar 60 inwardly until it contacts with one of the grooves 62. The entrance of the edge of the bari' into a ygroove prevents rotation of the wheel so that as the handle is further turned, the screw threads i2 will move the wheel endwise. This movement is, by means of the bracket t3 and follower block transmitted to the prism of butter which is thus forced through the cutter blade 6, where it is cut off on the next rotation of the knife lWhen the face of the follower block about contacts with the inner edges of the blades 6, the wheel Li5 is positioned above the notch 'T0 adjacent that end of the device. This notch sufficiently deep that when the bar is oscillated the bottom of the notch does not come into contact with the wheel and hence the latter turns with the shaft instead of being fed forwardly. The same action takes place at the other end of the bar when the screw is turned in the opposite direction to return the follower block to its rearmost position. The quicker way of running the follower block back is to lift the bar out of contact with the wheel and turn the latter by hand. j

lt is to permit the reverse movement of the knife frame that l provide the beveled face on the cam and end of arm 66. lVith these bevelsv` when the shaft is turned in the wrong direction the arm will be lifted up without injury7 whereas with a straight face spiral` the parts would be brought to a stop and if forced some part would be injured.

As here shown the follower block is held on the bracket 43 by means of a prism 72, this allows the bracket to be swung upwardly and the follower block removed for cleaning. it the same time during ordinary operations it is held on the bracket suiiicicntly that there is little chance of it being accidentally dropped and so bent out of shape.

lilith this cutter I secure a positive feed, and at the same time can secure any practical variation of feed. The notches 62 being so closely spaced 'there is no appreciable difference in the feed if the segment of wheel between successive points of contact with the bar varies by a few notches'.

By using a cutting knife of predetermined length whether of wire or otherwise.` it can be changed much quicker than where it is wound around a djusting pins. Furthermore by the spring construction of the knife frame it can be subjected only to the proper tension. Thus the various features of my invention glo to make a device which will give results in the hands of inexperienced operators, the machine being as near as possible fool proof in its operation and adjustments.

I claimv as new and wish to cover by lietters Patentil.. In combination with a body having` angularly disposed side walls, a cutter frame having crossed blades, a knife frame revolvi able about an axis perpendicular to the face of said cutter frame, an adjusting block, a knife having one end secured to said. block and the other end to the outer part of said knife frame. Y

2. Tn combination with a body for holding a block of butter, a cutter frame having; crossed blades for longitudinally dividingfr said block of butter7 a knife frame comprising a hub` a bow shaped arm extending); therefrom, said frame being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the face of said cutter frame, an adjusting block adjacent said hub, and a cutting` knife attached to' said adjusting block and the outer end of said spring arm.

Z3. In combination with V-shaped body`I a cutter fra-Ine at one end thereof, shaft rotatable in an axis perpendicular te the face of said cutter frame an adjusting block rotatable in an axis perpendicular to the face of said cutter frame, an adjusting block radially movable on said shaft and having one face substantially in the plane of the face of said cutter frame, a knife frame attachedto said shaft outside of said bleek, aspring. arm having an outer end substantially in the plane of the outer face of said cutter frame, a pin projecting from said adjusting block and from the outer end of said vspring arm. a cutting knife extending between said pins, a face en said knife adjacent to said cutter frame and parallel thereto, an opposite face at an angle tothe aforesaid face, said knife having its thicker porftion at the cutting edge, and short oblique faces extending from a line to said angular faces to form the cutting edge.

5. In a butter cutter, a guide, a cutter frame at one end thereof, means for intermittently feeding the butter through said frame, a knife movable across the face of said frame, said knife comprising a side surface parallel to the face of said frame, an opposite side at an angle to the aforesaid Aside and a cutting edge formed onthe thicke side of said knife.

6. In a butter cutter, a guide for the block of butter, a cutter frame for dividing the butter longitudinally, a knife blade adapted to be moved across the face of said frame,

said blade having side surfaces converging rearwardly, and a cutting angle on the forward edge.

7. In a` butter cutter. a guide for thev butter, a cutter frame one end thereof7 means for intermittently moving the butter I through said frame, a knife blade adapted to be vmoved across the face of said frame,

said blade having short beveled `surfaces at the cutting edge, and long beveled surfaces at the rea-r edge.

S. A butter cutter comprising a body forming a guide for a block of butter, a shaft revolvably mounted in. bearings at the end of' said body. a knife frame attached to said shaft, a knife carried bv said frame and movable across the face of said cutter frame, screw threads on said shaft between said bea-rings, a wheel inv threaded engagement with said shaft, said wheel having closely spaced net-ches around its periphery, a bracket having arms embracing opposite sides of said wheel, a follower block carried b y said bracket, a pawl for engaging the notches of said wheel and cam means on said shaft for varying the time which said pawl engages said wheel.

9. A butter cutter comprising a body forming a butter guide, a follower block movable therein and supported only along the upper edges of said body, a screw threaded shaft extending parallel to said body, a bracket slidable on said shaft and having said follower block pivotally connected to the lower end thereof, a wheel in threaded engagement with said shaft, means on said bracket engaging said wheel, and means for allowing said wheel to rotate with said shaft at times.

10. A butter cutter comprising a body forming a butter guide, a follower block movable therein, a revolvable screw threaded shaft extending parallel te said body, a member in screw threaded engagement therewith, a bracket having arms contacting` with opposite sides of said member and connected to said follower block, and variable means for intermittently permitting said member te rotate withsad shaft at times and to hold it nonretatable thereon at other times.

1l. A butter cutter comprising a body formingv a. butter guide, a follower block movable therein, a revolvable screw threaded shaft extending parallel to said body, a member in screw threaded engagement therewith. a bracket having arms contacting with opposite sides of said member and connected te said follower block, a cam on said sh. and means operable by said cam for holding said member nen-rotatable at times and allowing it te rotate with said shaft at other times.

l2. A butter cutter comprising a body forming a butter guide, a follower block movable therein, a revelvable screw threaded shaftextending parallel to said body, a member' in screw threaded engagement therewith, a bracket having arms contacting with opposite sides of said member and connected to said follower block, means for holding said member non-rotatable at times, and an adjustable cam on said shaft for operating said holding means and varying the interval thereof;

A butter cutter comprising a body forming a guide rfor a block of butter, a fellower block for moving the butter in said guide, a screw threaded shaft extending longitudinally of said body, amember in threaded engagement therewith, means connecting said member with said follower block and means whereby a. relative rotativel interval of such relative movement.

A. butter Cutter comprising a leodiT forming a guide for a block of butter', a follower block in saiognide for moving said block of butter, a serew threaded shaft extending longitmlinally of said body, a when! in 'threaded engagement with said shaft, said wheel having closelyY epaced notches on its neripherical surface, means connecting' said wheel with said follower block, an oscillal'ive paivl extending parallel to said shaft, a spiral faced cam on said shaft, and an arm engaging the periphery of said cam and connected to said pawl.

16. A butter cutter comprising a, body forming` a guide for a block of butter, a follower block in said guide for movin said block of butter, a screw threaded shaft tending longitudinally of said body, a wheel in threaded engagement with said shaft, a bracket having said follower block attached thereto and having arms embracing opposite sides of said Wheel7 an oscillatable pawl for engaging' the periphery of said wheel, a cam axially adjustable on said shaft, a Spiral end face on said earn, an arm on said pawl and extending' axially to Contact with the periphery of said cam, and beveled faces on' said arm and Said spiral cam.

17. A butter cutter Comprising a bod;v forming a guide for ay bloei; of butter7 a fol lower bleek for moving said butter, a continuons rotating screw carrying and moving said block, and means for rendering' said block inoperative at times.

18. A butter entter comprising a bodv forming a guide for a block of butter, a fol.-

lower block for movinesaid butter a conf tinuous rotating screw carrying and moving said bloeit, a earn on said screw for varying the interval during which said bleek is operative.

19. ii-'i butter cutter comprising a body forming` a guide for a bloelr of butter, a entting frame? a revolvable shaft, means actu-` ated by said shaft for feeding' the butter through said framea an adjusting' block on said shaft, a knife frame, a hub thereon., an inclined surface on the inside of said hub, a linger extending from said adjusting block across said inclined surface, a screw in threaded engagement with said finger and contacting with said inclined surface, and a cutting knife extending between said block and said knife frame.

ln teetimonv whereof l aiiix my signature.

noires A. sri/resolv. 

